SBCA chief in merger talks

THEY divorced a few years ago, but a reconciliation may be on the cards between the Scottish Beef Cattle Association and the Scottish region of the National Beef Association.

A tersely-worded joint press release indicated that talks were taking place between SBCA chairman John Bell and NBA Scottish regional chairman Iain Mather. The latter yesterday did not wish to disclose anything further, but said they agreed the Scottish beef industry would be better served by one lobby organisation than two.

He put no timescale on the talks, but there is a feeling that he is due to stand down in the near future and would like to seethe issue resolved before then.